Verdict

REY NACARADO had plenty to spare when landing the Mandarin Chase at Newbury last time and can follow up off an 8lb higher mark. Previously an excellent runner-up to doughty stayer, Giles Cross, in the Southern National at Fontwell, Charlie Longsdon's charge looks one to follow and is taken to score. Shaking Hands is an interesting alternative though and rates a leading danger off a most attractive mark. He unseated at the first after being sent all the way to Catterick from Somerset last time and should certainly be in the money on this recovery mission as he stays further than this and handles conditions. Mohayer is another with no ground concerns and arrives in cracking form with a good heavy ground success to his name at this venue last time. He's not had too much racing in the past year and there could be more to come despite advancing years. Our Island has gone well in good races the last twice and deserves a shortlist place off his feasible mark.

Formwatch

As De Fer (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistakes 10th and 11th, no impression on leaders 5 out, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 20 ran.

Swincombe Rock 12-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, dropped to rear 6th, reminders 15th, outpaced next, no danger after, last of 6, 48l behind Shakalakaboomboom (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.

Be There In Five (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In rear, slow 4th, not fluent 9th, ridden and struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th, in a race won by Hold On Julio (10-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 10 ran.

Mohayer (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway before 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led after last, very easily, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating Kaybeew (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.

Dream Alliance 28-1 (10-13) Tracked leader to 7th, in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 10th of 14, 38l behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.

Our Island (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 16th, weakened before 5 out, 6th of 20, 47l behind Le Beau Bai (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.

Rey Nacarado (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, smooth headway from 14th, tracked leaders 17th, led approaching 4 out, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, driven right out, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Ballyegan (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.

Miko de Beauchene (FR) 33-1 (9-9) Mid-division, not fluent 15th, headway 17th, blundered 4 out, weakened after next, 8th of 13, 15l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.

Bench Warrent (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 15th, lost place 17th, well beaten after, 9th of 13, 23l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.

Victory Gunner (IRE) 10-3 (9-13) Chased leader until dropped to 3rd at 6th, went 2nd again before 10th, led approaching 4 out, jumped right from 4 out, 3 lengths ahead and ridden last, last, drew away again flat (no time taken), won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec beating Swing Bill (11-9) by 5l, 4 ran.

Shaking Hands (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Led, hit and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Posh Bird (10-3) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.

Jaunty Journey 7-2 (10-8) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, mistake 7th, not fluent 12th, chased winner 2 out, no impression from last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Bold Ransom (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.

Incentivise (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up behind, pushed along after 16th and outpaced, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 28l behind Dermatologiste (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.